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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what journalistic transgression did Finkel admit in an effort to "engender a sense of connection" (40) with Knight?

2. The Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers lived in caves on either side of which river?

3. According to Finkel, the area known to locals as "the Jarsey" (56) is known for repelling what?

4. What term did Knight use to refer to the bundles of magazines he created by wrapping them with electrical tape?

5. Which objects are NOT mentioned as part of the list of "constants" (23) in terms of the items Knight always stole?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were Christopher Knight's criteria when he decided whether to steal an item or not during his time living in the woods?

2. What event changed Knight's mind about allowing Finkel to visit him in jail and why did it have this effect?

3. In what way does Knight often mix comedy and tragedy within his spoken and written comments presented by Finkel?

4. Discuss an instance when Finkel uses a metaphor to communicate with the reader about an aspect of Knight's life.

5. What were the contents of the final letter Knight sent to Finkel and what were Finkel's feelings about this final letter?

6. What types of conflicts are presented within the first few chapters of the book?

7. Provide evidence for the idea that Finkel understood and appreciated Knight's wry sense of humor from the start of their correspondence.

8. How does Finkel use historical allusions to shed further light on the case of the North Pond hermit?

9. Describe the physical location of Knight's campsite.

10. In what township was Knight arrested and why is this information significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Finkel’s use of characterization methods to portray real people. What effect do these characterization methods have on the work's inherent themes and messages?

Essay Topic 2

Perform a biographical criticism of The Stranger in the Woods by researching Finkel's life and work. Be sure to create a strong and specific claim focused on this particular book and then support that claim with quotes from the book and from your research of Finkel.

Essay Topic 3

Examine Finkel’s use of characterization methods to portray himself within the narrative. What effects do these characterization methods have on the themes and messages inherent in The Stranger in the Woods?

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